What British Design Trends are Now All the Rage in the U.S.?

When it comes to style, British designers often create looks with the endurance of timeless classics that still feel fresh and new. This season in particular, many of these looks have caught on in the U.S.

In many ways, these features of British design succeed in filling a space with interest without becoming overwhelming. They create a sense of balance and serenity that can make any space in your home inviting.

Even when these looks do not dovetail with your personal design aesthetic, you might find it helpful to apply some of the principles to your own space as you plan a remodeling project or addition to your home.

Embracing Color

Adding color is an undeniable way to shape the atmosphere and give narrative and emotion to a space. The options are essentially endless—from incorporating a palette of bright colors to building on a monochrome scheme layered with texture, a design focused on color creates interest and emotion. 

One way to build around color is to find that color in a material, such as stone, that you incorporate into your flooring or countertops. Using a natural material like stone provides you with richness and color variations that are organic and unique.

Paint, of course, provides a way to customize your color incorporation. You might consider painting your “fifth wall” –the ceiling, or adding color to items that are traditionally neutral in tone, such as bookshelves or cabinets. If you want to work with a monochrome scheme for a more subtle use of color, varying the saturation and value and adding contrasting textures keeps a coherent, cozy feel while adding depth and interest. In a monochromatic scheme, metal finishes really pop, so adding feature lighting fixtures or other metallic accents in furniture or fixtures provides a clean finish to the room.

Freestanding Kitchens

This popular trend is also referred to as an “unfitted kitchen,” and it harkens back to an era before built-in cabinets were a given part of every kitchen. In place of fixed cabinets and countertops, this design uses more freestanding furniture that has a curated feel, as if acquired over time. For instance, instead of built-in cabinets with glass doors, a freestanding kitchen might incorporate a glass-doored hutch with a setback upper cabinet.

While this look is unique, personal, and authentic, it may not be practical for many people. While a kitchen based on freestanding pieces gives you the flexibility to change out components with ease, finding the right components that provide functionality with the style you want that fit your space needs can be a challenge. You can shift freestanding shelves and cabinets, but your sink cannot easily be moved, and if you want a built-in oven or stove with a range hood, those appliances will be fixed as well. So, choosing an unfitted or freestanding kitchen doesn’t give you quite as much freedom as you might expect.

What often works best for many people who want this traditional British kitchen aesthetic is a combination of fitted and unfitted components. For instance, instead of a fixed island full of cabinets with a quartz countertop, you might put in a solid antique farmhouse table. Fixed cabinetry could be used around the stove or along one or two walls to allow the freestanding components to take center stage.

Layering

Layering colors, patterns, and textures adds character and depth to any type of room, from a small bathroom to a sizable great room. Layers can include symmetry and matching patterns, or they can be asymmetrical with patterns that contrast or blend. Layering botanical patterns, for instance, provides a soothing blend that develops visual interest without creating loud conflict.

Techniques for creating layers in a space go far beyond wall finishes, textiles, and furniture. Layering the lighting in a room is not only appealing from a design perspective but also quite practical as well. First, you need the right ambient lighting to provide a comfortable degree of general light for your space at different times of the day. Then you need appropriate task lighting to illuminate spaces where you need to be able to see details, such as when you’re cooking, reading, or during your morning grooming routine. Finally, you will also need some accent lighting to call attention to your favorite features in the space, such as artwork or architectural details.

You should plan to use a mixture of different types of lighting to fulfill these features and provide a personal interest to the space. Technically, you might be able to meet all your needs with a track lighting system, but the look would be soulless and institutional. Consider using ceiling fixtures of differing lengths, from recessed and flush mount to pendants and chandeliers. Wall sconces add character without taking up space on floors or furniture, and they can be placed strategically for either ambient lighting or a focused beam of light.

Incorporating Heritage Features and Antiques

When renovating a relatively new house or building an addition to a home, you can give the new construction a timeless, authentic feel by incorporating components with an experienced aura. This could include pieces that are genuinely antique or those that provide a classic feel. Elements might include leaded glass windows, either on the exterior or within the interior, or a clawfoot bathtub in a luxury bathroom. When you mix features of different historical styles, you can keep the feel fresh rather than old-fashioned.

Work with a Contractor Who Creates Designs Specifically for You

Whether you want to incorporate classic British design trends in your home or you want something entirely different, your preferences and your needs should be the primary considerations when developing the design for your remodeling project or home addition. That means you need a contractor who creates custom designs rather than one who wants to sell you a package they produce over and over.

At Marcela Montoya Remodeling, we create every project from scratch, and we keep our clients’ needs at the forefront throughout the process. Our goal is always complete customer satisfaction, and we’re committed to doing whatever is necessary to make it happen. If you’re planning a renovation or addition project in South Florida, we invite you to schedule a complimentary design consultation with Marcela Montoya. Learn how we can make your design goals a beautiful reality. To get started today, call 954-900-9992 or contact us online.